There’s also a secret plot involving awesome explosives, but you couldn’t manufacture a bigger bomb than this.

That opening, alas, is the only time The Legend of Zorro hits, and keeps, its stride. Campbell moves the picture in fits and starts, elongating scenes we'd rather see cut short and ending others before they even have a chance to develop.

Banderas suddenly seems to be playing a human Puss-in-Boots, turning Zorro into a cartoonish buffoon more often that a swashbuckling hero.

The presence of Anthony Hopkins is sorely missed, but Banderas and Zeta-Jones remain a sexy and spirited screen couple.